# MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY DEFINED ANTIGENS IN BREAST CANCER

> **NIH NIH R01** · METPATH, INC. · 1988 · $167,932

## Abstract

A blycoprotein, designated BCA-225 (apparent Mr 225,000-250,000), has been
identified in the cytoplasm, surface and culture medium of clone 11 T47D
breast carcinoma cells by three murine monoclonal antibodies (McAs), CU18,
CU26 and CU46, that have a highly restricted immunocytochemical specificity
for human breast carcinoma.  Since the McAs recognize different epitopes on
the BCA-225 molecule, a double-determinant "sandwich" ELISA was developed
with CU18 as the coating antibody and peroxidase-CU46 as the detecting
antibody.  A standard reference curve for the quantitation of the antigen
was generated using partially purified BCA-225.  Using this assay, the
antigen has been found in the serum of breast cancer patients, in levels
that correlate with disease status, and is either undetectable or present
in very low levels in "normal" controls and patients with other
malignancies.  The clinical-pathological data of 1,038 patients and
controls whose sera has been tested are being compiled for statistical
analysis and evaluation of the clinical relevance of the assay.  These data
will be correlated with the immunocytochemical detection of the antigen in
excised tissues.  These investigations intend to continue to explore the
clinical relevance of this antigen and further applications of these
antibodies.  Specifically, the possible significance of the increased
immunocytochemical detection of BCA-225 in metastatic lesions will be
studied by correlating its detection in primary and corresponding proximal
and distant metastatic lesions and in serum.  A longitudinal study
involving prospective multiple time point serum level determinations in
patients admitted for breast cancer surgery will be complemented by the
immunocytochemical detection of the antigen in excised tissues.  Ongoing
preclinical in vivo biodistribution and imaging studies in nude mice with
111In-McAs will be continued.  Other investigations will study the
structural-functional relationships relating to the synthesis,
intracellular distribution, glycosylation and release of BCA-225 and the
epitopes recognized by the McAs, using T47D cells and factors that may
influence the expression of BCA-225.  Finally, the production of McAs to
BCA-225, other T47D antigens and gp52 of the mouse mammary tumor virus, and
their fragments, will be continued and attempts will be made to produce
anti-Id and anti-anti-Id antibodies to CU18, CU26 and CU46 and explore
their immunomodulating and possible immunotherapeutic potential in the
BCA-225-T47D tumor model.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170889
- **Project number:** 5R01CA032984-06
- **Recipient organization:** METPATH, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** RICARDO MESA-TEJADA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $167,932
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-10-01 → 1990-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170889

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170889, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY DEFINED ANTIGENS IN BREAST CANCER (5R01CA032984-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170889. Licensed CC0.

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